Chemical-gun trap



Nov. 10, 1942;

C. L. WAINWRIGHT 2o 26 32 3o Ew@ 36 34.

INVENT OR.

Patented Nov. 10, 1942 UNITED STATES DATENT OFFICE CHEMICAL-GUN TRAPCharles L. Wainwright, San Bernardino, Calif.

Application February 19, 1941, Serial No. 379,603

(Cl. L155-84) 5 Claims.

The chemical-gun trap of this invention relates to means to destroycertain types of predatory animals which because of their wariness areeX- ceedingly difficult to control and for which most communities aswell as divisions of the government offer a bounty for all which aredestroyed.

Stock men in general and particularly owners of sheep suier greatfinancial loss especially at lambing time from marauding activities ofcoyotes which frequently kill lambs in great numbers in a wanton mannerfor usually little if any of the victims of the kill are eaten. Thecoyote is a very shy as well as sly animal insofar as man is concernedand because of its sensitiveness and fear of man is not so frequentlyseen and hence is diicult to hunt down in the usual manner of hunting.The use of steel traps is only partially satisfactory for oftentimes atrapped animal will chew its leg through in order to release an ensnaredfoot. Also the use of jawed steel traps is a cruel and inhuman method ofcatching coyotes or any other type of animal, accordingly I haveconstructed a gun apparatus which uses a cartridge of the usualpercussion type but which employs powdered cyanide as a lethal means.

The preceding data is merely informative of the problem with which thisinvention is concerned, and it may be stated that the use of a gun firedcyanide charge is not new on my part for the use of this lethal meanshas been in use for some time, however, cyanide aifords a quick andrelatively painless death so that the animal thus trapped isexpeditiously killed and hence the body or portions thereof can beretrieved for bounty purposes.

Accordingly it is a prime object of the present invention to provide animproved gun to control the discharge of a lethal charge of the typepreviously referred to.

A further object of the invention is to provide a chemical-gun apparatusof the type under consideration which is weather proof against theaction of frost, ice, and snow.

A still further object of the invention is to pro- 'l a gun of thecharacter contemplated which is 71 simple, reliable, and positive inoperation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a gun apparatus of thecharacter which is cheaply and readily made.

the accompanying drawing, the detailed specification and theaccompanying subjoined claims.

In the drawing of which there is one sheet:

Figure 1 is a view illustrative of the manner in which the chemicaleguntrap of this invention is planted or installed, and the manner ofapproach thereto by a predatory animal.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the gun of this invention showing afragmental piece of bait attached thereto.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of a substantial portion of the support ofthe gun apparatus and showing the gun mechanism per se in fulllongitudinal sectional elevation.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional View of the mechanism of the gun, thefiring pin is shown in tripped position in this view but withoutrelationship to a cartridge and a detachable barrel within which thecartridge is placed.

Figure 5 is another enlarged view of a detail showing the manner inwhich certain elements are movable longitudinally upon a pullingpressure or a tug whereby steel balls are moved to a pointat which theyare free to move laterally to permit a spring pressed firing pin move tostrike the percussion cap of the cartridge.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail showing the gun mechanism in cockedposition ready for ring.

The chemical-gun trap of this invention includes two general divisions,first, an operating mechanism I2 and a support I4 therefor, the twoelements being joined by an extensile spring I5 so Wound as to betightly secured upon the support I4, in fact the spring turns orconvolutions are threadedly secured upon the support in the manner of anut upon a bolt, while the opposite end of the spring is in like mannerthreadedly secured upon a sleeve I8 which forms a part of the gunmechanism as will be hereinafter described. The portion of the spring l5which lies intermediate of the ends thereof is so wound in looseness ofturns and diameter thereof as to permit of considerable lateralflexibility.

The operating mechanism of the gun includes a tubular member 20 havingan open end, and an end A which is closed by a blank or other closure 22and this member is formed with an opening 24 through which a firing pin26 is movable and which opening forms a guide for the pin 26, which asshown in several of the figures is integrally joined with a disc 28positioned Within the tubular member 2t. An extensile spring 30 is alsopositioned in the member 20 and has its one end in contact with theinner side of the disc Other objects of the invention may appear from 28while the other end thereof bears against a threaded cap 32 screwed uponthe exterior of the member 23. The cap thus acts to completely close thetubular member 2! and render the interior thereof substantially weatherproof. The relationship of the cap 32 to the tube 23 is such that theend B of the spring It clears the cap and its associated tube to permitof relative movement as will be described.

The sleeve I8 fits upon the exterior of the tubular portion 23 withreasonable closeness and is formed with an inner annular cut-awayportion at 3ft to p-ermit limited extrusion of steel balls 33 from theopenings il in the walls of the tubular member and from which completemovement is limited by peened edges 153. A cap 42 is threaded upon theouter or free end of the tubularV member 23 as shown in Figures 4 to 6and when in functional position, thread clearance remains on the tube toreceive the threaded end of a short barrel 43 adapted to receive acartridge 43 which is formed in practically identical manner to standardammunition except that instead of a metallic pellet, the cartridge usedin the gun of this invention employs a quantity of powdered cyanide 48.

The preceding matter is believed to be completely descriptive of thephysical construction and relative arrangements of mechanical partsemployed in making the gun.

A description of its operation will now follow.

The steel balls 36 are first inserted in the openings 4I in the tube 20and are locked therein by peening the edges as indicated at 4i). Thering pin 23 with its disc 28 is then inserted in the bore 2i of the tube23 and thereafter the spring 33 is likewise placed in abutment with thedisc, followed by screwing the cap 32 upon the open end of the tube 23.The sleeve I8 is then slid over the tube 23 with an amount of freedomwhich permits the cut-away portion 34 to be centrally aligned with thecenter of the steel b-alls 33, as sho-wn in Figure 4, and when thusalignedithe inner edge of the sleeve I8 is substantially in abutmentwith the cap 32 which quite naturally extends a small distance outwardlyfrom the outer surface of the tube 23.

The cap 42 is then threaded upon the threaded end A of the tubularportion 23 and when thus positioned the inner surfaces of the cap are inrelatively close spaced relation to the sleeve I8, f

thereby providing a weather seal for the steel balls 33 previouslymentioned. The reduced end B of the spring I3 is then threaded upon thesleeve I3 by reason of helical grooves Iclr formed in the sleeve. Thesup-port I4 is in like manner screwed into the reduced end C' of thespring IB thereby uniting the support I4 and the operating end of thegun as aforementioned so that the gun mechanism I2 may be tugged orpulled laterally in varying degree in conformity with pressure asapplied thereto by an animal. Prior to joining the support I4 with thespring as above set forth, the interior of the support is preferablyfilled with raw wool the pungency of the odor of which is sufficient todeaden foreign odors associated with the steel with which the gun ismade.

The gun is now ready for setting and this is accomplished with specialtools (not shown) but which are applicable to apply inwardly directedpressure upon the outwardly extending firing pin (see Figure 4) asindicated by the arrow D while at the same time the end A of the tubularportion 20 is held stationary so that the relative motion thereof is inthe direction indicated by the arrow E. The application of pressure asthus defined results in moving the disc 23 inwardly thereby forcing theballs 3S outwardly into the accomymodation afforded by the cut-awayportion 34 in the sleeve IB and concurrently sliding the tube 23rearwardly with respect to the sleeve I8 so that the steel balls 36 andthe openings 4I within which they are situated are now encompassed bythe meanest diameter of the sleeve, however, before this relativemovement is obtained, the disc 28 has moved under the balls 36 andoccupies a position upon the opposite side thereof.

Since the balls 33 are forced and held inwardly by the sleeve, they areenabled to hold the disc 28 inwardly from spring thrust position,thereby compressing the spring 33 against the cap 32. Upon removal ofthe tool screwed upon the end A of the tube 20, the barrel 44 with acartridge 46 therein, is screwed upon the tube 20, thereby completingthe loading as well as cooking of the gun.

lThe assembled-gun parts as thus defined are now preferably dipped inmelted paraiiine to more effectively seal all openings of the gunmechanism against intrusion of moisture. Bait, such as pieces of wool,felt, skin, or flesh, or any other suitable material 53 is then tiedover the end of the cartridge and is preferably treated with a type ofscent which holds the greatest attraction for the animal sought.

A hole 52 is formed in the ground with a cupped out upper end portion 53to accommodate the spring I5 and permit lateral movement thereof afterthe support I4 has been placed in the opening 52 thus provided. Grass orleaves are then lightly placed over and around the spring I6 and withinthe cupped opening 53 to cover all parts of the gun from sight so thatonly the strongly scented bait remains above the ground and isaccessible to an animal which upon grasping the bait in its teeth andupon an outward pull causes the tubular member 2E! to move outwardlyrelative to the sleeve I3 (which is held against movement by the springI6 and support I4 driven in the ground) and while this movement issmall, continues until the steel balls are aligned with the cut-awayportion 34 and are freed from confinement by the sleeve, (see Figure 5)thereby releasing the balls from the oblique directed pressure exertedby the disc 28 and spring 3) so that the firing pin and associated partsare free to be spring thrust against the percussion cap of the cartridge43.

Explosion of the cartridge follows the preceding operation anddischarges the cyanide powder into the open mouth of the animal,causing, as experience has shown, the animal to die almostinstantaneously.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a unique gun to administer thelethal effect of cyanide to predatory animals of the type mostdestructive to sheep and lambs.

The gun is exceedingly simple in construction and is equally reliable inoperation although it is completely safe against laterally appliedpressure such as may be caused by deer, elk, cattle, sheep, etc., ifthey should accidentally strike the same with their feet, since only apressure applied longitudinally of the gun mechanism is effective inreleasing the functioning elements thereof. The spring I is adapted topermit the part I2 to be moved in any direction in which it is pulledbefore greater pressure is applied to strip the bait from its positionon the gun.

It is conceivable that various changes and modifications may be made inpracticing the invention in departure from the particular showing of the`drawing and description as given, without however, departing from thetrue spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appendedclaims, wherefore, the drawing and specification are illustrative onlyof the invention, while the claims aiord a measure of the scope thereof.

I claim:

1. A chemical gun-trap to destroy predatory animals, said gun-trapincluding a movable cylinder and a relatively immovable sleeve upon saidcylinder, a spring pressed firing pin structure in the cylinder, detentmeans repressible by said sleeve to hold said -ring pin in cockedposition when the firing pin is moved inwardly of the detent means, a.cartridge supporting chamber detachably secured upon said cylinder, an.animal lure secured over said cartridge chamber and a cartridgepositionable therein, said detent means being spring pressure actuatedto release said ring pin for functional use upon occurrence of relativelongitudinal movement between said cylinder and sleeve.

2. A chemical gun-trap to destroy predatory animals, said gun-trapincluding a cylinder and a tubular sleeve upon said cylinder, saidcylinder being movable in relation to said sleeve, a spring pressedfiring pin structure in the cylinder, a detent, said detent beingrepressible by said sleeve to hold said firing pin in cocked positionwhen the firing pin is moved inwardly thereof, a cartridge supportingchamber detachably secured upon said cylinder, an animal lure securedupon and over said cartridge chamber and a cartridge positioned therein,said detent being spring pressure actuated to release said ring pin forfunctional use upon occurrence of relative longitudinal movement betweensaid cylinder and said sleeve, a support, a spring, said spring beingadapted to unite said sleeve and said support whereby the sleeve and itsassociated operating elements are held in longitudinal alignmenttherewith although yieldable in any lateral direction to absorb shockand permit alignment of the gun-trap with an animal induced pull uponthe said movable element.

3. A gun-trap to destroy predatory animals, said gun-trap including a[cylinder having a flanged ring pin therein and an immovable sleeve uponthe cylinder, said sleeve having an annular recess contiguous with anedge thereof, steel balls, said balls being positioned in openingsformed in the walls of the cylinder and being of greater diameter thanthe wall thickness whereby upon inward movement of the flanged firingpin to cocked position the balls are partially extruded into said recessto permit the ilang'ed firing pin to be repressed within the cylinder toa point upon the opposite side of a plane bisecting the balls, saidballs moving inwardly in clearance of the outer surface of the cylinderupon movement thereof relative to the sleeve whereby the ring pin isheld in cocked position by the inwardly projecting portions of the ballsbeing in contact with the flange of the firing pin, a cartridge holdingbarrel detachably positioned upon the sleeve whereby a cartridge may beexploded upon release of said ring pin eiected by relative movement ofthe cylinder and sleeve and concurrent partial extrusion of said ballsinto said annular recess, and means to support said gun-trap forfunctional use.

4. In a device of the character described, a closed cylinder havingapertures in the side-walls thereof, steel balls in said apertures, arelatively immovable tubular sleeve on said cylinder and having achamfered edge alignable with said apertures whereby the balls may beperiodically partially forced into said chamfered edge in clearance ofthe inner wall of said cylinder, a firing pin formed with a flangeadapted to retain the ring pin in cocked position rearwardly of saidballs, spring means to force the flanged ring pin into pressure contactwith the balls when the device is cocked, means to limit movement of thecylinder in the sleeve, an explosive element, means to detachably securethe explosive element to the cylinder and in functional relation to saidfiring pin, a support for the device, and an extensile spring unitingthe device and support whereby the device may be inclined in universallateral directions coincidental with application of a tug upon a luresecured over said explosive element whereby the cylinder is movedrelative to the sleeve to carry said balls in to alignment with thechamfered edge of the sleeve to release the ring pin.

5. A gun-trap to destroy predatory animals, said gun-trap comprising acylinder having a spring pressed ring pin therein, a sleeve upon thecylinder, balls operable within apertures formed in the walls of saidcylinder, said balls being alternately movable in clearance of theopposing walls of the cylinder whereby the ring pin may be moved tococked position and held in such position by portions of said ballswhich extend inwardly of the inner walls of the cylinder by reason ofrelative movement of the cylinder and balls to a point at which theballs are encompassed by said sleeve, said firing pin being released byoutward movement of said balls to a point in clearance of said firingpin whereby the firing pin is freed from locked engagement therewith andis freed for functional use, and means to cushion said gun-trap againstlateral pressure.

CHARLES L. WAINWRIGI-IT.

